In the process of research of machine design textbooks in Far East Asian countries, the authors surveyed opinions of university students in Japan, China and Korea. Though students do not compare engineering textbooks from other countries, they express both positive and negative opinions about the qualities of textbooks often reflecting social situations (their job prospects, industrial policy, etc.) . Korean students using large volume textbooks want simple but comprehensive explanations. Chinese students using practical textbooks attach an importance to practicality and use in future. Japanese student using compact textbooks attach an importance to comprehensive and detailed explanations. Japanese university students have a higher psychological barrier to employ engineering textbooks written in English, than students of other countries.
